“Born for the Light”: Summer Camp for Children in Philadelphia
From June 22 to July 3, the summer Christian camp “Joyful Vacation with God: Born for the Light” took place in Philadelphia. It was organized by St. Sophia Religious Association of Ukrainian Catholics, USA (SSRA), for children ages 6 to 13. Among the participants were refugee children who came to the United States as a result of the war in Ukraine. The organizers developed the theme with consideration for the special need for God’s light in human life during times of trial. The program was created to combine the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people.
During the camp, the children prayed; learned songs; danced bans; learned handicrafts; took part in workshops on making topiaries, 3D pictures, and macramé items; baked treats; embroidered; learned the basics of financial literacy; enjoyed cotton candy; played educational and active games; took part in interactive story readings; and participated in a talent show. Particularly special were visits to a local synagogue, where the campers learned about the traditions of the Festival of Lights and the meaning of light in Jewish beliefs, and to the Holocaust Museum. Together with catechists, the children compared this tragedy with the darkness of the Holodomor and the war in Ukraine. They also honored Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, who hid the Jewish children during World War II. The campers also visited the museum room dedicated to Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, where they learned about his heroic resilience during 18 years of imprisonment and the light he left for future generations.
The program was prepared and led by Iryna Ivankovych, President of St. Sophia Religious Association, with the active support of the Association’s animators: Viktoriia Dmytruk, Ivan Dishchuk, Victor Tsymbalenko, Andriy Lehenky, Uliana Melnyk, and Anna Tatarchuk. Throughout the year, St. Sophia offered training to the animators through workshops. Catechetical classes were led by Iryna Ivankovych and Oksana Kikelia. Kateryna Chornomaz also contributed to the conduct of the workshops. Fr. Ruslan Borovyi celebrated Divine Liturgy on the last day of the camp.
This year’s project was carried out for the first time over two weeks at the headquarters of St. Sophia. The Association actively works in the field of spiritual education of the younger generation of Ukrainians “scattered abroad.” SSRA has been holding summer Christian camps for the children of the City of Brotherly Love since 2016. The event was supported by the Selfreliance Financial Federal Credit Union in Philadelphia.
St. Sophia Association Press BureauPhotos: St. Sophia Archives
